Canned beverage carrier

ABSTRACT

A beverage carrier for packaging and carrying multi-unit packages comprising: a plurality of carrier sections, where the sections may foldably connect and disconnect; a handle, where the handle is positioned at the center of the top section of the plurality of carrier sections; and a connection mechanism to connect and interlock the carrier sections of the beverage carrier. In one particular embodiment, the plurality of carrier sections includes three sections stacked vertically. The carrier sections are configured to contain and hold a 12-pack of a canned beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a device that is suitable for carrying multiple packages of canned beverages.

2. Description of Related Art

Soft-drink beverages are a popular drink enjoyed by many individuals. Many of the popular soft drinks are carbonated and packaged in bottles and cans. Soft drinks can range from soda, carbonated water, iced tea, sparkling lemonade, fruit punch, root beer and ginger ale to name a few. The soft drink manufacturers sell these drinks in either bottles or cans and many times in multiple unit packages. Larger plastic bottles such as one or two liters are usually sold individually whereas the smaller bottles and cans from the 8 to 16-ounce range are sold in multiple unit packages. The cans are usually packed in six or 12-pack arrangements and in some cases 24 can cases are available of canned soft drinks. Many individuals buy the multiple unit packages of soft drinks in order to save in costs because of the greater value that is achieved by buying the larger package of the soft drinks. One drawback to purchasing six to 12-packs of beverages is the increased weight and effort required to transport the beverages from the point of purchase to the point of consumption. Many times the 12-packs may be conveniently transported when handling one or two packets are purchased however many consumers may purchase more than one or two packets and thus need assistance in transporting the soft drinks.

Secondary packaging of the multi-packages has been developed through the use of various devices in the prior art. One such multiple unit multi-pack is ascribed to the U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,528 which discloses a multi-unit package for beverages type containers or receptacles made of a number of small multi-packages such as the well-known six-pack wherein the small multi-packages are simply assembled in vertical stacks and made into a larger multi-packages. U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,286 discloses a reusable resilient package for shipment of beverage cans involving at least two mating half sections each containing at least one pair of mating recesses where each recess receives a beverage can for shipment.

Based upon the status of the prior art, it would be advantageous to have a beverage carrier that was specifically designed for a 12-pack of canned beverages. Further it would be advantageous to have a 12-pack beverage carrier that could be used to transport multiple 12-pack packages. Such a device could be used by an individual who needs to transport multiple 12-packs of beverages from a point of sale to a point of consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a beverage carrier for packaging and carrying multi-unit packages comprising: a plurality of carrier sections, where said sections foldably connect and disconnect; a handle, where said handle is position at the center of the top section of the plurality of carrier sections; and a connection means to connect and interlock the carrier sections of the beverage carrier. In one particular embodiment, the plurality of carrier sections includes three sections stacked vertically. The carrier sections are configured to contain and hold a 12-pack of a canned beverage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of the beverage carrier according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a side collapsing view of the beverage carrier according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the multiple sections of the beverage carrier according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a beverage carrier for containing and carrying multiple 12-packs of a canned beverage. As is known many canned beverages are sold in a 12-pack configuration. The present invention provides a carrier that is designed to transport multiple 12-pack packages of a beverage. The beverage carrier of the present invention includes a handle and multiple sections that are interlocked to create compartments for a 12-pack of a canned beverage.

In reference to FIG. 1, a top view of a Beverage Carrier 100 is depicted. The top view depicts a Handle 12 at the center of the top Section 20 a of the Beverage Carrier 100. The Handle 12 provides a means to grasp and carry the Beverage Carrier 100 once the 12-pack packages are inserted within any section thereof. The carrier Sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c are foldable and interlocked together as 12-pack packages are placed within each such section. FIG. 2 depicts the foldability of each carry section according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts the side view of the Beverage Carrier 100 according to the present invention with a 12-pack enclosed within each Section 20 a, 20 b and 20 c of the Beverage Carrier 100. Connection means 22 a, 22 b are provided that connect the carrier Sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c together and join the Beverage Carrier 100 into one composite carrying device.

Twelve packages are inserted into each carrier Sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c. The 12-packs that might be inserted openings provided between the interlocking sections at the connection Mains 22 a, 22 b. These carry Sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c are connected and open, with the insertion of the 12-pack of canned beverages. Once the 12-packs are inserted within the Sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, the sections are then a locked into place using the connection Means 22 a, 22 b and the Beverage Carrier 100 is ready for use.

The beverage carrier according to the present invention provides a means for the transporting of multiple 12-packs of canned beverages at one time. The beverage carrier is collapsible, carries up to three 12-pack beverages and may be manufactured recyclable plastic. Once the Sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c are unfolded into place to carry the 12-pack, the Carrier 100 provides a perfect device for transporting multiple 12-packs. In one particular embodiment, the carrier Sections 20 a, 20 b, 20 c are comprised of three interlocking fold-down sections, which have measurements of 5¼ inches by ½ inch. Once the 12-pack packages are within the carrier the beverage carrier may measure 16 inches in height. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

1. A beverage carrier for packaging and carrying multi-unit packages comprising: a. a plurality of carrier sections, where said sections foldably connect and disconnect, where the plurality of carrier sections up to three sections stacked vertically and are configured to contain and hold twelve packaged canned beverages; b. a handle, where said handle is positioned at a center of the top section of the plurality of carrier sections; and c. a connection means to connect and interlock the carrier sections of the beverage carrier.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. A beverage carrier for packaging and carrying multi-unit packages comprising: a. three carrier sections, where said sections foldably connect and disconnect, where the sections stack vertically and are configured to contain and hold twelve packaged canned beverages; b. a handle, where said handle is positioned at a center of the top section of the plurality of carrier sections; and c. a connection means to connect and interlock the carrier sections of the beverage carrier. 